Mooer GTRS Guitars Modern 800 BLC

Mooer GTRS Guitars Modern 800 BLC review

The Mooer GTRS Guitars Modern 800 BLC is an ST-style electric guitar with digital sound tools built into the instrument. Its onboard system offers guitar simulations, effects, and presets that can be selected from the guitar, giving players a compact alternative to carrying a pedalboard for every rehearsal or trip. The guitar is listed at $471 and has been available since April 2024.

That digital feature set is backed by a conventional playing setup: an alder body, a roasted maple bolt-on neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and a pair of humbuckers. It can also be played as a regular electric guitar with the processing switched off, including when the internal battery is depleted. That flexibility matters for players who want the extra sounds without relying on them for every session.

Build and playing feel

The Blue Chameleon finish has a high-gloss surface, paired with a matching headstock and black hardware. A brushed-metal black pickguard gives the face a more technical look than a plain plastic guard. The body weighs about 3.8 kg, while the guitar and included gig bag together weigh about 4.66 kg.

The neck has a Standard C profile and a satin finish. Its 25.5-inch scale, 12-inch fingerboard radius, and 42 mm bone nut are familiar specifications for a modern electric guitar. The rosewood fingerboard carries 24 jumbo nickel-silver frets. A player review describes the neck as fast and the body contours as comfortable, with the overall build quality holding up well in studio and gig use.

Mooer fits locking tuners and a GTRS M1 bridge. There is no tremolo, so the bridge setup favors a fixed, straightforward feel rather than vibrato effects from the hardware. The factory strings are.009 to.046 gauge. One owner recommends replacing them, though that is a setup preference rather than a fault unique to this model.

Pickups and onboard controls

The pickup set consists of a GTRS HMT-1N humbucker at the neck and a GTRS HMT-1B humbucker at the bridge. A three-way selector, volume control, and tone control provide the familiar basic layout. The owner feedback describes the pickups as clear and quiet, and notes that the instrument remains useful even with its digital system turned off.

A Super knob handles the main output and preset selection. Four editable presets can be accessed from the guitar, reducing the need to reach for a phone or separate controller during a performance. The system includes 16 guitar simulations and 128 effects. Those figures point to a broad palette, but the practical advantage is quick access to prepared sounds from the instrument itself.

Modeling, app, and recording

The active GTRS Intelligent Process System runs on an internal GLB-P1 lithium-ion battery. Mooer specifies up to 10 hours of use per charge and 15 hours of standby. One owner reports around 10 to 12 hours in practice. The system can be powered off for ordinary guitar use, so a flat battery does not make the instrument unplayable.

The free GTRS app serves as the editor for the guitar. It provides access to the modeling features and supports a drum machine, metronome, tuner, and an 80-second looper. A player who wants the full range of sounds should plan to install the app and spend time setting up presets before a gig or practice session.

For quiet practice, the 6.3 mm jack can be used with headphones. USB-C supports USB OTG recording to a smartphone or tablet, as well as charging the battery. Bluetooth 5.0 is also built in. Wireless control is available with the optional GWF4 Wireless Footswitch, which is not included. The guitar does not have a MIDI pickup or piezo system.

Verdict

The Mooer GTRS Guitars Modern 800 BLC suits players who want a playable, dual-humbucker electric guitar with sounds and practice tools close at hand. Its editable presets, app-based editing, headphone practice, and direct mobile recording give it uses beyond a standard instrument. The reported build quality, comfortable neck, and ability to operate without the digital system help keep it practical as a main guitar.

There are tradeoffs. The wireless footswitch costs extra, and the app is central to editing and accessing several functions. Players who prefer a simple guitar with no digital layer may have little use for its modeling system. For musicians who value sound changes from the guitar itself, especially while traveling or playing a set, the 800 BLC offers a useful all-in-one approach at its listed price.

Specifications

• Body and finish: Alder, Blue Chameleon high gloss
• Neck and fingerboard: Roasted maple, Standard C profile, rosewood fingerboard
• Scale and frets: 25.5 inches, 24 jumbo frets
• Pickups: GTRS HMT-1N neck and GTRS HMT-1B bridge humbuckers
• Included: Gig bag, Allen key, and USB-C cable
• Battery: Up to 10 hours of use per charge, according to Mooer